Anna Glacier Route

‘Elie’ is the throne that elegantly resides over the cluster of peaks at the head of the Tasman. Whether on skis or on foot, it is an entertaining outing, which culminates in a ballroom-sized summit plateau.
Head up the Anna Glacier (which is frequently complicated by crevasses) usually keeping close under Mt Walter. Then ascend slopes onto the col between Mt Walter and Mt Elie de Beaumont (the Elie-Walter col). Follow a snow ridge, which is often interspersed with firm, blue ice sections from the col up to the summit.
Alternatively, from the lower glacier, continue weaving directly up through the glacier if crevasses allow. From here the summit can be reached from either ridgeline.
If the lower Anna is cut off, ascend to Divers Col, traverse over Mt Walter and descend to the Elie-Walter col – a much more serious proposition (see Routes 5.37 and 5.42).